Sophie's+Letter

Dear Leah, Hello Leah, my dearest grandmother. I am here at the Darling Lighthouse. It’s the day after my amazing rescue on September 7, 1838. I hope that you have heard about what happened to me overnight. Last night I was on a boat named the Forfarshire. We were heading to a city in Scotland named Dundee. I was on the boat because I got a new job at a bakery in Dundee. I left the city, Hull, in England early in September. The captain never told us that in Hull the Forfarshire was already having trouble with its engine boilers. I think the captain made a stupid decision to set out to sea anyway ignoring the engine boilers. If I knew that the Forfarshire had been having trouble, I would have never even boarded that it. It was the night of September 6 when, an enormous storm arose near the Farn Islands: a rocky group of islands that lie in the stormy North Sea. Later a violent current drove the Forfarshire against the rocks of Big Harcar Island. The ship broke apart! Sadly, there was only one lifeboat on that ship. Unfortunately I didn’t make it onto that lifeboat, but I did manage to hang onto a few rocks along with other people. Gigantic waves kept pounding us; I could hardly hold on. Finally Grace Darling and her father came and saved us. They took me and others to their light house and gave us a place to sleep. In the morning they told the story of how they saved us. It turns out, they saw us from their lighthouse and rowed through the strong current with their tiny lifeboat. What a brave family. I think that I’m going to wait for the rescue boat that Grace called this morning to take me to Dundee. Since you don’t live far from there I'm going to take a train to your house for your help for recovery. I will tell my new boss to postpone my first day of work I am sure that he will understand). I’m very thankful that I survived. Without Grace Darling’s help, I wouldn’t have made it. I am looking forward to seeing you. Your beloved granddaughter, Sophie

Dear Sophie, I am so sorry to hear that my Granddaughter went through that much. I also am so very glad that you wrote to me. I was enjoying a warm cup of tea when I heard your news. I thought I was going to cry. I should of told you that it was very likely for a storm to arise in that area. Although, the captain made the horrible decision to keep the boat going only for money and they should of told all of the passengers, I think you should of checked to see if everything was okay when the captain and crew started to panic. On the other hand, I think you responded very maturely. You saved me when you said that Grace Darling and her father came to rescue you. I thought for a moment that this was the hospital writing to me that we had lost you. I owe an enormous thanks to Grace Darling and her father, bigger than you could ever imagine. They saved your life, and you cant ever stop thanking someone for that. I probably don't actually know how much you've been through, but your dear old grandmother can assume right? The least I can do is offer you my home for awhile. I am so happy that I get to see you, since I've heard that you've been through so much. Please, pack for as long as you want, it will be an honor to have you in my home. You are truly a veteran of something terrible that you survived and the whole world should be praising you. I cant tell you how much I am excited to have you here, and will be anxiously awaiting your arrival. I wish to see you soon.

Your loving gramother, Leah